Description

Everything is coming up roses with this delightful collection of flowers to knit and crochet. This work offers the perfect way to use up scraps of yarn or practice using novelty yarns - you can use them to decorate clothing, hats, bags and belts, embellish home accessories, or make a beautiful bouquet as an unusual display piece. Choose from simple spiral roses, pretty poppies, elaborate layered blooms, and fabulous felted flowers. The flowers are beautifully arranged on the pages, with stitched leaves and embroidered stems, and are cross referenced to a separate section featuring clear pattern instructions and information on yarn requirements. You will also find plenty of inspiration for embellishing your finished flowers with beads, buttons, sequins, and embroidery, plus ideas for using them in a range of fun ways, from unusual jewellery to decorating gift-wrapped packages.show more

Table of contents

PrelimsIntroductionBefore you BeginDirectory of FlowersTechnical DataTechnique Refresher CourseIndex and Creditsshow more

About Lesley Stanfield

Lesley Stanfield is a long-time hand-knitting designer and has been the knitting editor of several women's magazines. She has produced a number of books on knitting and crochet. She lives and works in Whitstable, Kent.show more

Review quote

A collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws. It's the perfect way to use up scraps of yarn or practice with novelty yarns and this one really is a 'must have' book. You can use the knitted and crocheted flowers and leaves to decorate clothing, hats, bags and belts, embellish home accessories or make a beautiful bouquet as an unusual display piece. Choose from simple spiral roses, pretty poppies, elaborate layered blooms and fabulous felted flowers. The flowers are beautifully arranged on the pages, with stitched leaves and embroidered stems. They're also cross-referenced to a separate section featuring clear pattern instructions and information on yarn requirements. You'll find plenty of inspiration for embellishing your finished flowers with beads, buttons, sequins and embroidery plus ideas for using them in a range of fun ways, from unusual jewellery to decorating gift-wrapped packages.-Machine Knitting Monthly The name Lesley Stanfield is well-known in knitting and crochet circles. In this book, she presents a colourful selection of flowers. You'll find exciting ways to use them as embellishments. This is an attractive book, with a simple but effective layout, good photography and clear instructions. A comprehensive introduction leads into the book explaining materials and equipment, basic knitting and crochet know-how and much more. A directory of flowers follows. This begins with a beautifully photographed close-up of each flower. Favourites include many roses, carnations, tradescantia, clematis, viola, lavender, borage, poinsettia, poppy, sunflower, hellebore and many more including butterflies. There is also a leaf and fruit and vegetables section. The flowers are portrayed in sumptuous colours. Just pick the one you want and move onto that page to learn how to knit or crochet your chosen flower. The instructions are organised by skill level. Charts are provided for the crochet projects. In addition, you'll find a series of projects for using your flowers. A knitted daisy enhances a peg bag, whilst crocheted roses look sweet on an evening bag. Use a poinsettia to enhance Xmas gift wrap. There are ten projects in all. I think part of the fun of this book is in thinking up more ways to use the flowers as embellishments or even creating more flowers from your own imagination.-KarenPlatt.co.uk At last a stylish, contemporary knitting AND crochet book on flowers (and veg!). Unlike other books which revive old patterns, [this book] generates a plethora of new, colourful and exciting designs. The book gives inspiration for the complete beginner (a short how to guide at the beginning) with clearly labelled basic designs for the novice to try. And for the adept knitter, patterns honestly labelled as intermediate to advanced. The use of colour combinations is excellent, the cover showing an enticing layout, stylishly displayed. An absolute must for all makers - a great mix of knitting and crochet; the combination of both skills being a winning formula. It is great value for GBP10.99 (approx 10p a pattern!) and a lovely square, handbag-sized book. It is equally inviting for the groovy teenager wanting to customise their lapel with a coloured garland, to women of all ages, inspired to add a contemporary corsage to their outfit or household items.-Craft Business Adorn anything and everything in sight with these beautiful knitted and crocheted flowers. As the cover shows in glorious color a vast array of flowers can be created to decorate holiday items, clothing, furnishings, presents and more. Not only flowers, but a few leaves, butterflies and vegetables too, as well as mistletoe and acorns. This is not a primer aimed at teaching the beginner to knit and crochet, but a book aimed at those who can already do these things to a reasonable standard. To jog the memory however there are useful tables of abbreviations, laundering symbols and some diagrams going swiftly through some stitches. The crochet patterns are shown with charts, so anybody not sure how to use these might be well advised to learn how to read them elsewhere, although the symbols used are given and explained. Knitting patterns are written out in the traditional manner. All the flowers are shown full size and looking their best on a series of pages first so you can choose easily what you want to make, then there is a section on knitted ones and a section on crocheted ones. These are arranged in skill levels, basic, intermediate and advanced. At the back is another section of projects to display your blooms, although sadly these are just shown and briefly described and you have to make up the patterns yourself or buy blanks. Decorate a peg bag with a fresh daisy to cheer up washdays, adorn a gift box with a poinsettia or crochet some forget-me-nots to use as buttons and trim for a baby's cardigan. This is a good example of a Search Press book - lovely photos, plenty of direction as to what to buy, instructions for making up and a gallery of master works. Also, an unusual and interesting subject not covered elsewhere. One for the keeper shelf.-Myshelf.com A delightful collection of blooms, ideal for decorating clothing, accessories and homewares. Choose from simple spiral roses, pretty poppies, elaborate layered flowers, and fabulous felted blooms, all of which are a perfect way to use up scraps of yarn. You will also find plenty of ideas for embellishing your flowers with beads, buttons and sequins.-Knit Today This book is flying off the shelves - and for good reason. Lesley Stanfield has created a pattern in this book for every flower imaginable, from forget-me-nots to snowdrops. And then there are the incredible fruit and vegetable knitting patterns, including lemons, grapes, carrots and surprisingly beautiful asparagus. There are project ideas too, which give practical applications for these lovely decorative details. This book is a brilliant labour of love, and if you've never thought of knitting what grows in your garden before, we bet you won't be able to resist once you've seen this.-AllAboutYou.com As with certain DIY products, this book provides exactly what it says on the label. And then some more, since there are also leaves, vegetables, butterflies and fruit in addition to the flowers. The beaded blackberries look edible they are so plump and glossy. The crochet instructions are both written and charted. The pattern for each flower is only in one technique, so if you wanted to crochet the lavender or knit the pansies, you will have to try and adapt from knitting and crochet respectively. The collection goes over some of the same ground as Suzann Thompson's Crochet Bouquet (Lark Books) but with charts for the crochet and different interpretations where the flowers are the same. There's room for both on my shelves, but if I had to choose I'd pick the "100 Flowers" because of the crochet charts, the lavender bunch and the single, comprehensive index that Suzann's book lacks. Lesley Fidler-SlipKnot If you're looking for small projects to use up oddments, you'll love what this book has to offer. While the majority of the book covers a comprehensive directory of flower patterns, there are also designs for leaves, vegetables and insects, with a butterfly, bumblebee and a ladybird all included! Whatever you're favourite bloom, this book is sure to cover it. Towards the back there are also ideas on how to use them to embellish clothing, accessories and gifts. With versatile and simple designs, this book will become a staple in your knitting library.-Knit Today Imagine a world where you get to do what you love every single day. In a world where you wake up and think ooh which beautiful flower shall I crochet todayA". In a world where you wander into your lovely summer garden - probably skipping - without a care in the world just waiting to be inspired by the next wonderful bloom that takes your fancy - aaahhhh, well, maybe not, but I much like to think that is the life of Lesley Stanfield the talent behind the beautiful new book 100 flowers to knit & crochet. Spread with a colourful selection of bright and breezy blooms on the cover, reading 100 flowers to knit & crochet is like looking through a 'chocolate box guide' leaving with you with the same agonising dilemma of which one to pick first! From peonies, to daffodils, lavender to pods of peas and ladybirds, author Lesley has created not only a gorgeous book to sit proudly on your coffee table but a wonderful guide to making step by step blooms that will last all year round. The book begins with a list of essential kit and techniques and gives you all the crochet and knitting symbols needed to start any project. For those new to yarn there are easy knitting and crochet illustrations to make sure you feel confident to get started. Followed afterwards is the directory of flowers, which sees all 100 projects laid out with clear photography, each tempting you to be the first to try. Each flower, insect, leaf or vegetable is then listed with instructions with the book being laid out for all abilities with knitting and crochet patterns from basic designs though to intermediate and advanced level. Lesley has brought the book to a lovely conclusion by picking ten of her favourite flowers to use as projects (thank goodness I hear you cry, so many flowers but what do we do with them!) from embellishments, bags adornments and even ideas for place settings, it really is a joy to read and judging by the coos of those who have spotted the book in my bag the perfect excuse to pick up some yarn.-blog.themakingspot.com The lovely people at Search Press sent me 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet, by Lesley Stanfield. Readers of my blog will know that she is my favourite pattern designer of all time. This book does not disappoint. It is full of beautiful pictures of stunning, life like, knitted and crocheted flowers. One hundred of them to be exact. The patterns are set out into competency levels and are really easy to follow. I especially love the diagrams for the crochet patterns. As most artistic people find it harder to follow written instructions these visual instructions are a breath of fresh air! The sheer choice of designs make this book a delight for everyone, the flowers are not for any purpose in particular so you can adapt them to your own needs. Like corsages, hair clips, bag decorations or even beautiful touches for wrapping of presents. Everyone has a favourite flower and I would be shocked if you couldn't find it here. Even if you never get the time to make any of the patterns I would suggest it as a summers day read at the very least. The pictures are gorgeous and the effects Lesley has achieved with just wool and needles is still mind blowing! It is probably the second most beautiful small projects knitting/crochet book I have ever had the joy of reading. The first being 75 birds, butterflies & beautiful beasties to knit & crochet, also by Lesley Stanfield.-siponepurlone.co.uk Although we're previously mentioned this collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws in the magazine, it deserves to be here once more. This was Search Press' top selling title last year and it's now on its 12th reprint. The flowers, for hand knitting and crochet, are the perfect way to use up scraps of yarn or practice using novelty yarn. The flowers are beautifully arranged on the pages and cross referenced to clear instructions. There's also plenty of inspirations for embellishing your finished flowers with beads, buttons, sequins and embroidery, plus ideas for using them in a range of fun ways, from unusual jewellery to decorating gift wrapped packages.-Machine Knitting Monthly Sometimes we hear about something that reminds us of what wonderful people knitters can be. Last month, a little birdie told us that a group of knitters (the British Banter group on Ravelry) were all clubbing together to make a member's wedding extra special. Clare has a vision of a woolly wedding and asked for a little help knitting flowers and other decorations. Before she knew it she was absolutely inundated with hundreds of flowers, leaves and even tiny fairies and caterpillars in every colour of the rainbow!-Knit Nowshow more

Customer reviews

A fantastic book with easy to follow instructions and clear pictures, every flower I have made has turned out beautifully and is even recognisable as the flower it is supposed to be! I have had lots of fun making flowers into little bouquet broaches for friends and family.show more

by Emma

This book is awesome! I'm not the most experienced of crocheters, but I found the instructions very easy to follow (although after I made the first 2 flowers I realized I was making things with the American abbreviations instead of UK!!).
A fabulous book that I shall keep forever and can't wait to teach myself how to knit the flowers!show more